Record of the Week ... or Quarter

If I could open my arms
And span the length of the isle of Manhattan
I'd bring it to where you are,
Making a lake of the East River and Hudson
If I could open my mouth
Wide enough for a marching band to march out
They would make your name sing
And bend through alleys and bounce off of the buildings

I wish we could open our eyes
To see in all directions at the same time
Oh what a beautiful view,
If you were never aware of what was around you
And it is true what you said:
That I live like a hermit in my own head
But when the sun shines again
I'll pull the curtains and blinds to let the light in

Sorrow drips into your heart through a pinhole
Just like a faucet that leaks and there is comfort in the sound
But while you debate half-empty or half-full
It slowly rises: your love is gonna drown.

"Marching Bands of Manhattan"
- Benjamin Gibbard, Death Cab For Cutie

I used to travel all the time in my car for work so I was going through enough music in those days to actually have a "record of the week" for each week but these days things are different so I guess this will have to be more like record of the month or quarter. Also, I have been accused of listening to too much "teen angst junk" so here is my try at some 20-something angst junk.

Anyways ... there was a band who has had some commercial success over the past year or two called The Postal Service. Even if you don't know them you've probably heard their songs if you've ever seen a commercial or other type of spot on MTV. Their music is amazing. It was all programmed, that's right, programmed by a guy named Jimmy Tamborello and the lyrics were written and performed by a guy named Benjamin Gibbard. The crazy thing about this project is that it was just a side project for these guys. Gibbard has been the front man for Death Cab For Cutie for a number of years and has been making unbelievable music for some time now. Their new record is called "Plans" and is a beautiful mixture of eerie layered melodies and thought provoking verse. Death Cab really hit the scene a few years ago with their record "Transatlanticism". I believe that was their 5th or 6th record and was the one that really put them on the map. If you want an album to leave in your cd player for the rest of your life, then buy that record. Gibbard writes deep, thought out lyrics that are every bit a part of the music as any other instrument. People always ask Michael Stipe why REM never prints their lyrics and he always answers because they are just part of the music. They are equally as important as the base, guitar, piano, etc. We don't write out the base lines in the album cover do we? I appreciate seeing the lyrics but totally agree with this thinking. Lyrics are not just words that go on the top of the music. They are part of the music and few people do this better than Death Cab. Each song on "Plans" flows seemlessly together and yet each has an identity of its own. The record very much has a dark feel to it which is conveyed from the lyrical content and musical styling all the way to the dark blurry images on the cover. This is a true "album" from start to finish. No filler songs to go along with one or two singles. So if you're into slow, melodic, indie music that not only heard by the ears but felt by the soul then you should check this stuff out. If you really want to modern Death Cab experience start with "Transatlanticism", then go to "Give It Up" by The Postal Service and finish up with "Plans" by Death Cab. I promise you'll be pleased, not to mention, a much cooler person. If anyone is into this stuff or has thoughts/suggestions on anything related please feel free to use the comments section. Until next time, turn out the lights, turn up the volume and enjoy.

-I WILL FOLLOW YOU INTO THE DARK-

Love of mine, someday you will die
But I'll be close behind and I'll follow you into the dark
No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight, waiting for the hint of a spark

But if heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied
And illuminate the NO's on their vacancy signs
If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark.

In Catholic school as vicious as Roman rule
I got my knuckles bruised by a lady in black
And I held my tongue as she told me "Son,
Fear is the heart of love," so I never went back.

You and me we've seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary and the soles of your shoes
Are all worn down: the time for sleep is now
But it's nothing to cry about
'Cause we'll hold each other soon in the blackest of rooms.

-Benjamin Gibbard

LOST

As you know I watched the season finale of LOST last season and was hooked so I was pretty amped up for the season 2 premier on Wednesday night. It's such a weird thing watching this show because there are so many unanswered questions and although you feel like they will all be answered within an hour or two of television as in the movies, the questions just pile up one on top of the other. The cool thing is that the show really plays up these different mysteries. The "hatch" for instance. That guy Locke was determined to get inside that thing for whatever reason. There was this huge buildup to it at the end of the first season and when they finally blew the hatch they just panned out with Locke and Jack staring into a seeming abyss. So who in the world would have thought the second season would have began with some crazy guy living at the bottom of the hole capped by the "hatch". By the way, on a side note everytime I hear the word "hatch" in relation to a deserted island I think of the first season of Survivor. Weird huh?

Anyways, long story short, I'm excited for this new season. I need to go buy the first season on dvd so I know the entire story. I feel really stupid because all last season when the show was being talked about a lot I passed it off and figured it was not that great and people were just going nuts over it because it was new and different. Turns out they were going nuts because it was a kick butt show. So Wednesdays at 8:00 CST if you're interested. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Any other good shows on that people are watching? I feel like there are a ton of new shows out there and it's hard to wade through the crap sometimes to get to the good stuff. I think reality stuff is cool but I'm not into anything out right now except Real World Austin. Anyone ever watch "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" on FX. It was a short first season but a very funny show. Very relatable and at the same time very screwball and out there. I saw Julie had a post about the new Martha Stewart show. Anyone see that thing? I heard the ratings weren't so hot. That chick really creeps me out for some reason. I think it's because when Conan does his thing where he puts people's faces on the tv screen with someone else's lips for talking I find it oddly accurate. The weird thing about that is the fact it is a man's lips with a five o'clock shadow.

And now it's time for me to go watch more hurricane footage. I'm really hooked on that stuff. I missed my fair share of work 3 weeks ago during Katrina watching tv. Luckily this one is on the weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to stay on task on Monday. Until next time ...

LOST

Here I am again mixing misery and gin ...

There are some things in life that a person should get to see and experience. For me, one of those things took place last Wednesday night at a little beer joint in Rockwall, TX. Merle Haggard played one of the most amazing shows I've seen and he did it in the kind of place his music is famous for. People say for "beer drinkin' music" you can't beat this guy so I went to see for myself. I had a few and it turns out they were right. One thing I really respect about this guy is that he's been playing with basically the same group of guys forever. You just don't see that anymore in any genre except for Willie and maybe a few others. You know a guy has been around a while when he announces he's having to play extra parts on the guitar that night because the steel guitar player is recovering from open heart surgery. You just don't see that everyday. So pop open a cold one tonight for Merle Haggard and the Strangers. I know I will.